SYNCHRONICITY (The Lone Wolf)

20

Sebastian sat at the table, Alison's half-uneaten plate of food sitting before him. He pulled a leg off of the crab and cracked the shell a bit more to reveal the meat inside. He gently pulled out the meat and dipped it into the now-chilled butter and all but inhaled it...there was a sweetness to it that he found quite appealing.

He looked up and made it known to her that he saw her coming as he continued to eat the crab and shrimp with both hands.

Finally, she made it to the pavilion and leaned on a structural post. "Hi," she said pleasantly.

His eyes met hers and he nodded, his mouth full. "Mmmph..." He swallowed and tilted his head. "Change your mind about the food? Pull up a chair."

"Mmm...no."

"Then why are you here?"

"Where's Ali?"

"Inside I would expect?" He looked toward her hands that were empty; he could smell the metal and the gun powder of the ammunition. "Why don't you have a seat and try some of this? It's really quite good."

"I'll pass. Thanks."

"Then why did you come back? You want to talk some more?"

She sat down across the table from him and withdrew the tiny gun from her back pocket and casually laid it between them. He pointed to the small handgun with his tiny fork.

"You know," he began then he swallowed. "One of the very first things they taught us in officer candidate school was to never keep your side arm in your arse pocket. You're liable to blow half your arse away when you sit."

She smiled and nodded, then she laughed.

"So, what's the gun for, Paula?" He motioned toward the gun with the tiny fork again. "The fact that you haven't shot me yet gives me hope that I'm not your target."

"Its just to send a message is all."

He swallowed the remaining meat in his mouth. "To whom?"

She smiled finally. "I love that your command of the English language is so...English...it's quite...refreshing. Even more so since you're very literally as American."

"A compliment? I'm honored. Truly."

"I really believe you mean that..."

Sebastian nodded. "I do. But actually, I enjoy a duel citizenship. This here vast colony and of course, the motherland."

She nodded.

Sebastian leaned in. "Who were you planning on hurting tonight, Paula!"

She breathed in deeply and she too leaned in. "Well, I guess it all depends on who gets in the way, huh?"

"You know I can't let you do that Paula, right?"

She smiled and nodded. "I figured as much. You being so cavalier and all...but honestly with all due respect, it's a sensitive subject matter."

"There's innocent people around you know? You may not see them, but they're around."

"Nobody around here is innocent. Except maybe those two sweet little boys. I think I'd be quite put out if either of them got hurt."

He smiled and nodded. "I'm glad to hear that."

"But suffice it to say, I'm not leaving here without this firearm here having been discharged." She tapped on the barrel.

He saw movement behind her. By the shape of the approaching men, he assumed on of them was her father, who was the Chief of Police.

"They're coming, huh? I can tell by your eyes. Did you know that your eyes are quite expressive?"